Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 February 2006
383 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to concerns that elephants imported by Dublin Zoo may have a disease (details supplied) which if passed on would have serious consequences for the animals already in Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3874/06]
View answerThe current position is that there are no elephants in Dublin Zoo, although there are plans to acquire a group of three young elephants from Rotterdam Zoo. I understand that animals within this group are infected with the disease referred to, which is thought to be widespread in captive and free-ranging elephants worldwide. I am advised that this particular disease only affects elephants and, consequently, that it does not present a risk to any other animals in Dublin Zoo.
